New European Union plans to ban single-use plastic such as straws, cutlery and cotton buds as well as urging the collection of most plastic drink bottles by 2025 is almost a “mirror image” of what’s being proposed in Ireland, according to Fora.ie.

The measures to ban single-use plastics across the EU was welcomed by the Green Party, and party leader Eamon Ryan described them as a “mirror image” of his party’s proposed Waste Reduction Bill.

This Bill was introduced to the Dáil last year and proposed the ban of disposable non-composable tableware, such as plastic cups and plates. It also aims to implement a deposit and return scheme for drinks bottle and cans.

European Proposals

Vice president of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen, responsible for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness, said that “plastic can be fantastic, but we need to use it more responsibly”.

“Single-use plastics are not a smart economic or environmental choice, and today's proposals will help business and consumers to move towards sustainable alternatives,” the former Prime Minister of Finland said.

Under the proposed EU rules, single-use plastic products will be banned from the market. The ban will apply to plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and sticks for balloons which will all have to be made exclusively from more sustainable materials instead.

In addition, Member States will also be obliged to collect 90% of single-use plastic drinks bottles by 2025,

According to Fora, an Oireachtas committee opted to advance with the Waste Reduction Bill last week, despite attempts by Environment Minister Denis Naughten to delay plans for a return scheme due to the potential cost.